HOLE IN THE SKY FESTIVAL 2011

Wednesday August 24

Marduk - Black Witchery - Mortuary Drape - Archgoat - One Tail, One Head • Wardruna

Dark Endless

As for me HOLE IN THE SKY was literally up in the air till almost the last day. Somehow. But nothing to freak out (as it may happen when things get not cleared in advance) so far, I had booked cheap flights and for the rest to come I had good feelings ;) I was right, things went smoothly, I should just have shut up, because I provoked the Winkel-chaos-theorem (as it always happens this way) turning my journey into a dog’s dinner *lol*

At the end of the day I was the first one arriving in Bergen. I took it easy, got me some tasty drinks from the grocery (for not wasting my whole cash with exorbitant beer prices the first night *lol*) and met friends. Around midnight I roamed streets towards the Garage club where :: MARDUK :: just had entered the stage. This one actually was in the basement I had no access yet. So we settled down up in the bar, watched MARDUK playing on a huge screen and drank beer… what caused some surreal moments, since the sound was off. Instead Primordial’s Alan was putting on some tunes that didn’t have anything to do with Black Metal at all ;)
Mood was rumbustious, seeing everybody partying with the “who is who” of Bergen’s metal scene joining in till we got swept at curfew time… so many cute and priceless moments… *laughs*

:: pics ::

Thursday August 25

Saint Vitus - Grand Magus - Procession - In Solitude - Devil • Byfrost - Cockroach Agenda • Helheim

The End Of The End

Thursday dawns with pure sun and a blue sky and some magazine related work. Pagan Alter had to cancel their appearance due to illness within the band and got replaced by PROCESSION, which we did not really realize although browsing the web and the festival site. A first sight-seeing tour followed and then we decided for the short noticed :: HELHEIM :: show at Logen Teater opposite our hotel. This one was for free and meant to be a small compensation for all those left without a ticket for HOLE IN THE SKY 2011, while at the Garage club BYFROST and COCKROACH AGENDA showcased.
I actually expected an acoustic or semi acoustic show due to different percussions and bugle seen on stage, but HELHEIM played a pure Metal show focusing on their 2010 EP Åsgårds Fall including guest vocals. With the great scenery and atmosphere at Logen Teater HELHEIM delivered a great show and the perfect prelude for this festival weekend!
Setlist: Åsgards Fall 1, Interludium, Åsgards Fall 2 // Jernskogen

Walking down to the Garage where all parties finally had arrived. Now I was allowed to dive headlong into the turmoil. And that was brute *laughs* The small club (400 peeps?) underneath the pub was crowded to overflowing and so damn fkg hot. :: GRAND MAGUS :: were in high spirits playing a great set through all their records. The stage was as small as the club with a very low ceiling that especially crowded giant Fox and his bass guitar. Luckily he did not jump or anything similar ;) Very intensive show!
Setlist: Storm, Kingslayer, Åran, (Intro) Silver Into Steel, I The Jury, Hammer Of The North, Ravens Guide Our Way, Skuggnäsan, Iron Will // Wolf’s Return, Nine, Ulvaskall (Vargr), At Midnight They'll Get Wise

Running up the stairs, taking a breath, gulping cool brewski and jumping down again. During :: SAINT VITUS :: it would be even more crowded. I was surprised to hear a new song (Blessed Night). Seems like these dudes are serious about a possible new album, doing more than just a handful of selected reunion shows. This century guys? ;) Anyway, also the doom legend played a set through all regular albums and even considered the very first EP release St. Vitus (1984). Fans downright freaked out, as Wino did on stage too. Very aggressive acting. I guess sober-minded Christian times are over now ;) Yes, SAINT VITUS still know how to rock a club. And they still know how to party too ;)
Setlist: Living Backwards, I Bleed Back, Clear Windowpane, Blessed Night, The Troll, White Stallions, Mystic Lady, St. Vitus // Dying Inside, Born Too Late

First thirsty, then hungry like wolves we liked to raid the next store for pizza slices to beef up for the way back home. Stupidly we left a second too early and so missed the funeral march of mighty :: SOLSTORM :: to bid farewell the very last HOLE IN THE SKY Garage club show. Damn!